A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Greetings ,
While I write this letter , I am reflecting on my extended family . I was blessed with incredible parents , an awesome brother , loveable kids , and last year I gained a great husband .
Yet , when I hosted the Global Gala and the Inspiring Lives Magazine Launch Party , I was struck by how my family has grown to extend around the world . People came into my hometown of Pittsburgh , Pa . from as far as Singapore and South Africa .
As many of our readers know , I lead the Global Sisterhood , which is a 501 ( c )( 3 ) charitable organization . We grew from a small tight network of women leaders communicating through social media ; now we are also a non-profit that does “ Pop-Up Giving ” that is changing lives of women and children internationally . When my sisters come to the board with a specific funding need , we strive to provide resources , donating our time and energy and , at times , funding to help those in need .
From a library in Ghana with bare shelves that received 350 pounds of books to the 20 women who were able to go on retreat to heal from surviving domestic abuse through Milagros Day Worldwide , we provide . When we hear “ Thank you Global Sisterhood ,” it ’ s because of the warm blankets that cover the homeless under the bridges of Pittsburgh through His Hand Ministries and the whole month of fees paid for a homeless woman veteran for housing and food through Final Salute . It ’ s because of the hundreds of school supplies for the Education Partnership — which serves the needs of 30,000 + children — that we lovingly collected . In so many ways , we have gathered what was necessary and served the needs of others .
I watch in awe as my sisters come together to help , to raise each other up , supporting each other ’ s missions , businesses , and charities . In this issue you will meet some incredible ladies , including a former pilot and mother of twins , a UN Humanitarian who is also a Versace model , a woman who went from federal prison to The TODAY Show , and a beautiful young philanthropist in a wheelchair .
Diversity and sisterhood can be found here in the pages of Inspiring Lives Magazine . For that I am proud … of my entire family around the globe . And I am profoundly grateful , so very grateful .
Hugs ,
Dr . Shellie Hipsky
WINTER 2017 INSPIRING LIVES 5